9 Tips for First Time Hammock Campers

May 9, 2017

When I think of hammocks I default to images from film and TV: blue-collar dads sipping beer in their backyards and swaying in the sunshine. Even Homer Simpson looks good in a hammock.

Hammocks appear to be the height of relaxation. Since, in my experience, there is little relaxation to be found squirming, sleeplessly with just a thin strip of damp canvas separating you from the hard ground, why not combine hammocks with camping?

I’m on a mission to learn how to sway myself to sleep in the wild. Care to join me?

Tip #1 – Choose Your Hammock Wisely

There are two main types of hammock on the market: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Symmetrical hammocks are probably the closest to our idea of a backyard hammock. However, while hanging low might be fun for a while, would you like to spend a whole night with your back shaped like a bow?

The burgeoning popularity of asymmetrical hammocks suggests that, for most people, sleeping with a straighter back is a better option.

It appears that the choice isn’t symmetrical or asymmetrical; so much as which particular asymmetrical hammock suits you

Tip #2 – Bring a Bug Net!

Biting insects are the bane of outdoor adventurers. There you are, relaxing in the beguiling cool of a summer evening, when swarms of insects descend on you and replace tranquillity with torment.

As Eagle’s Nest Outfitters put it “mosquitoes eating your face all night does not equate to restful sleep,” so however tempting a night under the stars without an enclosure may be, you’ll want to bring a bug net.

Many camping hammocks come with a mosquito net built in but be sure to check before you head out!

Tip #3 – Up the Heat Rating of Your Sleeping Bag

Sleeping in the air is a chillier experience than sleeping on the ground as the breeze can pass beneath as well as above you, so you’ll want to up the heat rating of your sleeping bag to compensate. The best advice is to get one suited for dealing with cold temperatures.

Underquilts and topquilts can also be added to help trap your body heat and stop it escaping into the cool air above or below. Better yet, why not invest in a high-tech mylar or “space” blanket? They’re cheap, lightweight and, if placed beneath you, will reflect your body heat back to you.

Tip #4 – Avoid Ice-Butt!

Ever heard of the phenomena known as ice-butt? I hadn’t either but apparently it’s a common hammock hazard. It occurs when you wake up shivering in the night because your backside feels like a block of ice.

Doesn’t sound pleasant but it does make some sense. As the lowest part of your body when lying in a hammock, your backside is surely particularly vulnerable to the cold.

Don’t leave it hanging out there! As in a tent, your best defence against a cold undercarriage is a sleeping pad. You’ll want to look for one that’s “mummy-shaped,” ie it has rounded ends rather than the common rectangular shape, as this will make a neater fit inside your hammock.

Tip #5 – Prepare for the Rain

Sleeping in a hammock is one occasion when you’ll want to leave yourself high and dry, but what if it rains?

Tarpaulin is the answer to provide shelter in the, let’s face it, likely event of an unwelcome downpour.

You can either buy a purpose built hammock camping tarp or just use a standard tarp sheet from a local store. Generally a purpose built tarp will be lighter and easier to setup but a generic tarpaulin sheet will be heavier and cheaper.

Tip #6 – How to Hang It

It’s all very well talking about how to keep warm and dry inside your hammock, but you’ll need to hang it up first! If you’re anything like me and find any task that involves knots and isn’t tying your laces a challenge, it’d be worth checking out this youtube video going through the basics of hanging up a camping hammock.

This diagram also helpfully goes through the basics. First and foremost you want to select the two trees you’ll hang the hammock from. They should be roughly 12-15 feet apart and you’ll want your hammock lines to slope down at an angle of 30 degrees. This should leave the bottom of the hammock roughly 30 to 46 cm above the ground.

Tip #7 – Straps Matter

Time to get technical. Straps determine the amount of “stretch” your hammock will have (closely related to comfort since too much stretch could lead to a sagging), the kind of trees suitable as anchors and even how adjustable your hammock is.

Investing in highly quality straps for your hammock is crucial. Comfort, durability and weight are the main criteria.

Tip #8 – If At First You Don’t Succeed…

For some people the switch to hammock camping is an instant success.

Others, however, may take time to adjust to hammocks so don’t give in if your first night isn’t a great success. Unless you sleep easily it may take some time for your body and mind to get used to it.

Tip #9 – Have Fun!

It’s a new experience! You’re out there in nature, swinging between two trees.

What could be better?

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed the article. Learning about hammock camping has certainly made me eager to give it a go!

If you’re thinking about taking the plunge why not share this article with some camping friends?

3 COMMENTS

Great pot right here!! You’ve really helped me and my friends as we try to prepare for our first-time hike. We all decided to use hammocks because we really love them, plus they are lighter and much more comfortable than tents. I’ve never heard about Ice-Butt but it seems like a really comfortable situation that I don’t want to experience. I have a question, though. Does sleeping in that banana shape all night have a negative effect on the back? How long should a hammock be compared to one’s height so that someone doesn’t strain the back?
Thanks.

Hi. A hammock cannot replace a regular straight “bed”. It is a solution mostly for summer time or warm weather in general. In cold weather you will have some difficulty to keep warm without using a proper (for the associated temperature) sleeping bag. Read our sleeping bag related articles to find out more.